Clair Obscur Sweeps at the 2025 Golden Joystick Awards
The forty-third yearly Golden Joystick Awards were hosted this past week, and through an impressive performance, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33 emerged as the biggest winner. The standout role-playing game by Sandfall Interactive won the prestigious Top Game award, along with accolades for Superb Storytelling and Excellence in Visuals.
Adding to the developer's triumph, its skilled actors also received personal awards. Jennifer English was named Best Lead Performer for her portrayal as Maelle, while Ben Starr took home Best Supporting Performer for his work as Verso. Furthermore, Sandfall Interactive the studio received Best Development Team. Overall, Clair Obscur and its makers achieved 7 awards during the ceremony.
Additional major winners featured Ghost of Yōtei, which was awarded Outstanding Audio and Top Console Title, and Hollow Knight: Silksong, receiving Outstanding Independent Game and Premier PC Title. Worth mentioning, the lion's share of Golden Joystick Awards are voted on by the public, with only 4 special—Critics’ Choice, Rising Star, Lifetime Achievement, and Streamers’ Choice—decided by reviewers.
Below is the full list of award recipients from the 2025 gaming awards:
- Best Storytelling – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Excellence in Sound – Ghost of Yōtei
- Best Multiplayer – Peak
- Best Visual Design – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Expansion – Lies of P: Overture
- Best Indie Game Self Published – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Best Independent Game – Blue Prince
- Studio of the Year – Sandfall Interactive
- Top Early Access Title – REPO
- Top Score – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Top Game Trailer – Grand Theft Auto 6 Trailer 2
- Mobile Game Still Played – Pokémon Go
- Console/PC Game Still Played – Minecraft
- Streamers' Pick – Peak
- Best Remaster – The Elder Scrolls 4: Oblivion Remastered
- Rising Star Award – Schedule I
- Best Hardware – AMD Ryzen 9 9950X3D
- Best Game Adaptation – Arcane Season 2
- Best Supporting Performer – Ben Starr, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Best Lead Actor – Jennifer English, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
- Lifetime Achievement – The Sims
- Best PC Game – Hollow Knight: Silksong
- Console Game of the Year – Ghost of Yōtei
- Critics Pick – Donkey Kong Bananza
- Most Wanted Game – Grand Theft Auto 6
- Ultimate Game – Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
If you missed out on the actual ceremony, the Golden Joystick Awards 2025 can be viewed via video here.
